Published/Revised May 12, 2016 By Hannah May This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

To travel is to taste the world. And Europe presents a particularly eclectic hotchpotch of flavours. From the strange to the sublime, I’ve sampled various dishes and foodstuffs throughout my jaunts across the continent and here (in no particular order) are some of my personal favourites:
Gran Canaria
Though the Atlantic archipelago presents a popular European mix of English, German and Italian ... Read Full Article

Published/Revised January 16, 2018 By Hannah May This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

It’s not so much bright lights, big city in Amsterdam – but, of course, red lights. Though many visitors are still intent on ticking the tourist track highlights and ubiquitous sex industry scenes, I’ve visited on several occasions and have to say that – for me – Amsterdam stands out as a city with a powerful and palpable history.
Where to stay in Amsterdam - Editor's Picks
The first ... Read Full Article

Published/Revised June 30, 2014 By Hannah May This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Rome - synonymous with romance, it’s all in the name. As one local explained to me – if you reverse the word ‘Roma’ (the Italian word for Rome) you get ‘Amor’ – meaning love. And love is something that resonates throughout the entire city. Especially evident at nighttime, the romantic undertones permeate the place as tangibly as pizza or pasta. As intertwined as food and love may be, Rome is a ... Read Full Article

Published/Revised June 30, 2014 By Hannah May This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

According to Paulo Coelho, “a city is like a capricious woman: she takes time to be seduced and to reveal herself completely,” which is an apt springboard of thought for Spain’s capital city – and magnificent matriarch - Madrid. As far as European cities go – Madrid arguably has it all. Cosmopolitan, cultured and swimming in a sea of history unaltered by the tides of time, Madrid is a myriad of ... Read Full Article

Published/Revised September 27, 2014 By Hannah May This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Though the French Riviera is famed for its captivating coast - sweeping cliff lines spilling down to soft-lulling coves – don’t just stay in one spot, but instead sample a more diverse mix of destinations via selected daytrips from Nice along the Côte D’Azur.
You don’t need to be especially intrepid to travel here – trains and buses offer easy, cheap and convenient modes of travel, while ... Read Full Article